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11-29-2018, 02:10 PM   #1
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135-600mm vs 300mm f4

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone knows how the image quality compares between two lenses please?

-the 300mm f4 with tcon 1.7
And
-the 135-600 f6.7

Anyone had a go of both?
Thanks!

11-29-2018, 03:01 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by Lynsey.a Quote
Hello,

Just wondering if anyone knows how the image quality compares between two lenses please?

-the 300mm f4 with tcon 1.7
And
-the 135-600 f6.7

Anyone had a go of both?
Thanks!
What brand and series are you asking about? Tough to tell without further information.
11-29-2018, 03:07 PM - 1 Like   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by onlineflyer Quote
What brand and series are you asking about? Tough to tell without further information.
The 135-600 f6.7 is a K series zoom...

SMC Pentax 135-600mm F6.7 Reviews - K Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

On Facebook the OP was asking about the DA* 300...I assume the 1.7 TC is the F...
11-29-2018, 03:25 PM - 1 Like   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Lynsey.a Quote
Just wondering if anyone knows how the image quality compares between two lenses please?

  • the 300mm f4 with tcon 1.7
  • the 135-600 f6.7
510mm at f6,8 (DA* with smc coating and aspherical element)
600mm at f6.7 (Zoom without smc coating and without aspherical elements)

So even with slower f-stop, the t-stop can be expected to be higher with the DA* as well as resolution and contrast .

11-29-2018, 03:32 PM - 1 Like   #5
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No experience with these two lenses, but one thing I would point out, if you're working with moving subjects, eg. wildlife or sports, it can be so much easier to find your subject in the viewfinder when zoomed out, then zoom in to frame and expose, than it is to find the subject in the first place with a long fixed-length lens


YMMV
11-29-2018, 03:33 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by angerdan Quote
600mm at f6.7 (Zoom without smc coating and without aspherical elements)
It's an SMC lens...but it is a 1970s zoom with a 6 meter minimum focus distance...
11-29-2018, 03:44 PM   #7
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The DA* 300/4 is a stellar lens, works well with the F 1.7 AF Adapter but better with the HD 1.4x DA teleconverter. No experience with the 135-600mm but I would think the 300mm is what you really want.

11-29-2018, 04:39 PM - 1 Like   #8
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The 135-600 is a real beast, huge long thing, MF and as noted above the MFD is dismal, totally worthless for bird photography although the lens came with two dedicated close up filters/lenses that were probably achromatic doublets (don't know that for sure). Hands down I would take a DA 300 f4 + 1.4X TC on an APS-C body. The 135-600mm is less a user than a collector's item.

FYI: If you want a lens of roughly similar specifications, Tamron's second version of a 200~500mm f5.6 (constant aperture) focuses to 2.5m and has a reputation for very good, even excellent IQ @ 500mm, although as with many, many older lenses, the sharpness is there but so are a variety of aberrations such as color fringing.

Last edited by WPRESTO; 11-29-2018 at 07:43 PM.
11-29-2018, 05:23 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by onlineflyer Quote
What brand and series are you asking about? Tough to tell without further information.
Apologies, pentax for both!
The current * 300mm f4, against the legacy pentax manual lens 135-600mm f6.7.
11-29-2018, 05:24 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
The 135-600 f6.7 is a K series zoom...

SMC Pentax 135-600mm F6.7 Reviews - K Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

On Facebook the OP was asking about the DA* 300...I assume the 1.7 TC is the F...
Thanks! I have had a look at the lens reviews there -it's just there is only 2 of them!
11-29-2018, 05:25 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by kypfer Quote
No experience with these two lenses, but one thing I would point out, if you're working with moving subjects, eg. wildlife or sports, it can be so much easier to find your subject in the viewfinder when zoomed out, then zoom in to frame and expose, than it is to find the subject in the first place with a long fixed-length lens


YMMV
That's a good point! Cheers!
11-29-2018, 07:47 PM   #12
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The 1.7X TC has a good reputation. I've seen a number of better than acceptable images posted on PF that were taken with it. However, I would still opt for the new 1.4X on an APS-C body or a K1 set to APS-C crop mode plus the DA 300 f4.
11-29-2018, 08:15 PM - 2 Likes   #13
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I have both. I'm unable to easily find any of my posts on the forum older than 2 years, so I can no longer link you to the test shots I took with the 135-600mm The 135-600 f6.7 lens came with a dedicated close up filter, which drops the minimum focus distance to 1.3 meters. Pictures are missing for many of the posts here on the forum that showcase the lens. On the off chance you did not click on the last link in the review, it shows what the lens will do if you nail focus. Here is a link to my post showing the 1.4x & 300mm on the K-1, and a actual pixel crop here.

Chromatic aberration is much less on the 300mm. It is also much easier to achieve good focus and control shake with the 300mm & 1.4x than the 135-600.


The 135-300 likes a heavy duty tripod. My custom lens plate helps. Not an easy setup to carry distances. The 1.4x degrades image quality of the 300mm slightly, but it will usually give you many more keepers than you will get with the 135-600.

I find that a Pentax IR remote is helpful for both. The 135-600 is capable of nice images, but it's a lot of work, and took me a lot of practice. It has a nice long throw for manual focus. The 300mm's autofocus is very nice. Manual focus is harder due to the shorter throw.

Unless you really have a nostalgia streak and love playing with vintage lenses, I think you will be much happier with your results using the 1.4x & 300mm combination.

Here is a picture of my 135-600 setup, followed by a test shot of a crocheted pillow using the dedicated close up filter.



SMC Pentax 135-600mm F6.7


_RGK2721 - F16 - Close focus lens - crop

---------- Post added 11-29-18 at 09:31 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by WPRESTO Quote
The 1.7X TC has a good reputation. I've seen a number of better than acceptable images posted on PF that were taken with it. However, I would still opt for the new 1.4X on an APS-C body or a K1 set to APS-C crop mode plus the DA 300 f4.
If memory serves, you need to get manual focus close with the lens, then the 1.7x does the fine tuning. The 1.4x allows a AF lens to do the focusing. Much faster focus for objects at different distances. I put up with the vignette on the K-1 rather than use crop mode, as I find it's quite helpful to have those extra pixels come crop time, or when my composition is a bit off!

Last edited by rgknief60; 11-29-2018 at 08:39 PM.
11-30-2018, 11:16 AM - 1 Like   #14
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Hello, thanks for your reply! Love your photo of the chipmunk and the beaver type chap!

I already have the 300mm and 1.7x tcon! Love it!

However I do really like vintage manual lenses! They are good fun, and it's nice to 'have to' think about everything rather than your camera doing it for you!

Since it is so giant, I would probably only use it for bird/nature pics in the garden, hiding behind my cam net! Or taking it to hides on nature reserves to sit and wait for some birdies to come over in to range!

Thanks for your help!


QuoteOriginally posted by rgknief60 Quote
I have both. I'm unable to easily find any of my posts on the forum older than 2 years, so I can no longer link you to the test shots I took with the 135-600mm The 135-600 f6.7 lens came with a dedicated close up filter, which drops the minimum focus distance to 1.3 meters. Pictures are missing for many of the posts here on the forum that showcase the lens. On the off chance you did not click on the last link in the review, it shows what the lens will do if you nail focus. Here is a link to my post showing the 1.4x & 300mm on the K-1, and a actual pixel crop here.

Chromatic aberration is much less on the 300mm. It is also much easier to achieve good focus and control shake with the 300mm & 1.4x than the 135-600.


The 135-300 likes a heavy duty tripod. My custom lens plate helps. Not an easy setup to carry distances. The 1.4x degrades image quality of the 300mm slightly, but it will usually give you many more keepers than you will get with the 135-600.

I find that a Pentax IR remote is helpful for both. The 135-600 is capable of nice images, but it's a lot of work, and took me a lot of practice. It has a nice long throw for manual focus. The 300mm's autofocus is very nice. Manual focus is harder due to the shorter throw.

Unless you really have a nostalgia streak and love playing with vintage lenses, I think you will be much happier with your results using the 1.4x & 300mm combination.

Here is a picture of my 135-600 setup, followed by a test shot of a crocheted pillow using the dedicated close up filter.



SMC Pentax 135-600mm F6.7


_RGK2721 - F16 - Close focus lens - crop

---------- Post added 11-29-18 at 09:31 PM ----------



If memory serves, you need to get manual focus close with the lens, then the 1.7x does the fine tuning. The 1.4x allows a AF lens to do the focusing. Much faster focus for objects at different distances. I put up with the vignette on the K-1 rather than use crop mode, as I find it's quite helpful to have those extra pixels come crop time, or when my composition is a bit off!
11-30-2018, 11:59 AM - 1 Like   #15
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Just to stir the pot, if you like vintage long lenses, don't forget the Pentax 500/4.5. This lens started as a screw mount Takumar and ended up with a K mount SMC variant. SMC Pentax 500mm F4.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database It's massive. It's fun. Modern glass will give you a better image more easily, but it's a fun monster to play with, and it can produce some nice results if you figure it out. I'm sure the DA^300 with the 1.4TC will give you more bang for your buck, but the old monster is fun if you like that type of thing
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